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Sunday, November 9, 2008

One of my heroes...

I want to take a break from Dr. Seuss for a special Veteran's Day blog. As many of you know, I served seven years in the Illinois Army National Guard and deployed overseas three times during that service, with one of those deployments being a year of combat-service in Iraq. This blog, however, is not about my service. You see, I will not be thinking about what I did this Veteran's Day. Instead, my thoughts will be with those still serving and those whose service was the last, great thing they accomplished for this world. I had the privilege of knowing, and serving with, just such a man. His name was Specialist Justin Penrod.

Penrod and I did not always see eye-to-eye, but I always knew that when the time came, he would have my back. That was the kind of guy Penrod was. He had not lived a very charmed life, but I believe somehow there was great character sitting dormant within him all along, waiting for an awakening. During high school, Penrod had a lot of discipline problems, both in school and in the community. Finally, in an effort to change the direction of his life, he was enrolled in a military-based alternative education program, which would teach him discipline and allow him to earn his GED.

This experience changed Penrod so profoundly, that he did not want to abandon it. Instead, he joined the National Guard in order to continue on with the great tradition of military service that he had learned from his instructors to respect so greatly. In addition, Penrod returned after basic training to the school which had taught him so much, and became an instructor himself. While there, he became a role-model for many young men, some of which have followed in his footsteps and are currently serving their country as a direct result of Penrod's influence on their lives. It was during this period of his life that I met Penrod and grew to respect him.

After our deployment to Iraq, Penrod, who married his wife only a few days before we shipped out, became a father. His son was born severely premature and had all of the medical problems that accompany such a birth. For weeks, the tiny child was hospitalized, and no matter how long the drive, or how many other things needed to be done, Penrod could always be found making visits to the hospital to be with his son. You see, for Penrod, this child more important than anything else he could ever accomplish. Fatherhood will have that affect on a great man.

Before long, it became clear that Penrod's civilian job and insurance would not be enough to handle the medical expenses for his son, both presently and in the future. When this realization hit, Penrod did not hesitate, but marched immediately to the recruiting station and signed an active duty contract. While serving on active duty, Penrod's son would be completely covered for any and all medical treatment. The inevitability of another tour in Iraq or Afghanistan did not phase Penrod, because the only thing he cared about was making sure his son would be taken care of. In basic training, we are taught to be selfless, Penrod showed his selflessness in a way that few ever could.

Not surprisingly, Penrod was deployed to Iraq with his new unit shortly after arriving on active duty. He made it to Iraq in July of 2007 to begin his second tour only a year after completing his first. One month into this second tour, Penrod was on a combat patrol, something he had done a hundred times before. This time, his patrol was walking down a street and began taking sniper fire from a nearby rooftop. Without hesitation, Penrod and three other soldiers set out to assault the building and take out the shooter. Moments after busting through the door, Penrod and the other soldiers fell victim to explosives planted in the house. He died the way he lived: selflessly trying to help others.

The remarkable thing about Penrod's story is that if you could ask him, he would tell you he was unremarkable. The inspiring thing about Penrod's story is that if you had the time, you would probably find that the story of every American service member who has given their life for this country is just as remarkable. You see, it takes a special quality in a human being to be willing to die so that others may live, so it should come as no surprise to find that those who have done it are truly special people.

34 comments:

  1. mr. ogle,
    i think that vets are very important like you said! it is very serious i dont think that people relize how important it is! such as people not understanding that people get killed every second as if its no big deal. do they not relize that we would not have any freedom if they were not over right now fighting for us! i could go on and on, on this topic! well i better not! this is my opinon on this vets topic! cheyenne

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  2. This is a wonderful blog, Mr. Ogle. My father, who is my hero and always will be, fought in WWII. He was a member of Merrill's Marauders, which later became the Army Rangers. He was severely wounded and suffered the rest of his life from his injuries.

    I can't imagine being a young man or woman, with everything before you, and making such a sacrifice and risking your life. Veterans have my undying respect and gratitude.

    You are ALL special.

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  3. I think this is a great topic to write about. There are so many things you could talk about ,but also there are so many people who don't apreciate this day. Today one of my friends were talking to me and she said that I will deffiently apreciate today because my cousin is in Iraq and he told me to give thanks to everyone serving now cause in 5 seconds they could be gone.

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  4. I think veterans are very important! My cousin Brittany is in the army. She has been to Iraq and Korea, and she might have to go back to Iraq,and my Uncle Fred died and he was in the E-5, and I had a grandpa and a lot of uncles in wars. So I am a very strong supporter of having a day just to remember all of the veterans who died in war or have been or are still in the wars. So I really think they should have every veteran who has or is serving should be introduced and gave many thanks for all they have done for us. So yeah I could go one and on about this subject. Well I got to go.
    Christiana Daniels

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  5. Mr. Ogle!

    This post should be mandatory reading for everyone. I mean, the way some people treat you... . it just seems like this story is one you want to tell every class but maybe it was better to write it out on your blog. It's Amazing, I have never had a close friend die and to die in service of country is just mind-blowing. Like you said: selfless.

    --drew harper

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  6. hey mr ogle,
    i reaally need bonus points cuz im gettin a bad grade in your class.....
    i reall ylike veterans day cuz alot of people in my family were in the miltiary, my mom, dad, step dad, two grandpas, two unlces, and several great grandpas.

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  7. hey mr ogle,
    i reaally need bonus points cuz im gettin a bad grade in your class.....
    i reall ylike veterans day cuz alot of people in my family were in the miltiary, my mom, dad, step dad, two grandpas, two unlces, and several great grandpas.

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  8. Mr. Ogle,
    This is a wonderful blog of not only an American hero to the American people but also to his family. Mr. Penrod had started with some troubling times in the beginning it seems but in the end he did become an honarable person, father and hero. He finished one tour and then started another one to help out his child.
    He knew he had to do something to help his son have the medical care he needed.
    So he never thought twice about signing up for active duty again. It is a shame he lost his life but he went knowing that his son has the medical care he needs now and will be taking care of. I know he is an American hero and a person anyone could look up too. To go from bad times to turning his life around is one great hero. Thank you Mr. Penrod for serving our country!

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  9. Mr. Ogle!

    I agree with you blog totally! Veterans are all special. I do think it takes a special person to serve like you did. I respect you for all the things that you have done for us. I know how you feel about your hero because my hero is very similar! I think people should take the time to read this blog because it is pretty awesome!

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  10. i think vets day is very important, especially after hearing that touching story. it takes guts to do what he had to do and it was probably the hardest thing he had ever done. my 2 cousins are in the military, one coast gaurd, one navy. i know how you feel about this hoping they are okay and thank you Mr.Ogle for serving our country and putting your life on the line so this country can still be free.

    garrett eveland 1st.

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  11. I think this blog is really good. I respect all of our vetrans because not everyone would or could go and fight for our country like you and many other people have done. It would be a very hard thing to do. Exspecially to be away from your family and friends as long as people in the military have to. I dont think that veterans get enough thanks for what they have done for our country.


    Shaunah
    6th hour

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  12. Mr. Ogle,
    Veterans are very important and deserve more than just one day to be thanked they deserve to be thanked every day of their life. Veteran's day is special to me because alot of my family served in various wars including Vietnam, WWII, and Korea. I am thankful that they all made it through alive but if they had not Veterans Day would be so much more emotional for me. The way some soldiers are treated is horrible. This blog is a must read for everyone.
    Aaron Alexander
    3rd Hour

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  13. Mr. Ogle-

    - i think this is a veryy good blog! i think everyone should think about all the people that are fighting for our freedom, i think everyone should celebrate that day and say thanks to all them. I dont think i could see one of my friends die right infront of me, that would be very hard to see.

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  14. Mr. Ogle,

    A very moving tribute to our veterans! Thank you!

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  15. I think that this is a really good blog. It makes you realize what all Veterans do and how important they are to us. They do alot and dont get thanked at all for what they do. Veterans Day is a very important day. It should be taken alot more seriously than it is taken. They do alot for us and we should appreciate it more than we do.

    Whitney
    6th hour

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  16. mr. Ogle
    i think that this is a very good topic to talk about. many people have risked their lifes to give us freedom. our freedom is very important because with our our freedom we would not have freedom of speech, we would not beable to do the things we want to do. That is my opion on veterians day.
    jordan

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  17. Wow well this is a very wonderful topic and that guy was a great person to be helping out others my father which is now decieced was my hero he will always be and he had given me his purple heart badge although i cannot remember the guy he had saved. i always told him even though the last time i told him i was 8 that i was going to be in the military. I don't know about that now he doesn't want me to be so i have heard of Penrod alot and when you first mentioned his name alot of thoughts came to my mind but i will just keep them in their. he was a very brave man.

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  18. mr. ogle that is a awesome story. The mans sounds not only like an american hero, but a hero to his son and his wife. he was willing to not only die for our freedom but so his son could get the treatment he needed. alot of my family has been in the military but most of them died before i ever really knew them the only one left is my grandpa who is a ex-marine who never actiolly served in the war but went to the phillipines several times and tells me storys all the time.

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  19. Mr. Ogle,
    I know I left a comment already on this blog, but it needs repeating.
    Our country now a days is in a bad situation. You have upper people trying to fix all the situations, trying to do whats best for the country and then you have all of us lower people who have to go fulfill what they want the country to do.
    I know there is people out there who enjoy serving their country, whose lives have been lost and they left behind family. You can imagine how his family felt when they received the news of justin. He went and served his country not once but twice and the second time for his son. He wanted him to be taken care of and he knew he couldn't take care of him the right way so he had to return for another duty. During this duty he lost his life, but died knowing his son and family was taken care of. Justin, I'm sure is in peace with himself knowing he did everything he could for his family.
    God bless you Justin and your family.

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  20. Wow! The changes that this man made really made me confident. I hope all will read this that are having trouble in school, so they know they to can change for the better no matter what. I envy that he would take that hard step in going back to Iraq just to earn money so his child will have a life. Even thought i am against war 100% it helped me alot that in your conclusion you mentioned how amazing it was how people will die so others may live. That really touched my heart, and makes me thank god that he created such selfless people to fill his earth. It makes me think how going to war isnt just killing but putting your life at risk to help others.

    From your favorite student!!!!!!!
    (Im top 10)

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  21. This story not only makes me think about Penrods selflessness and service and everything every Vet does for our counrty but it also makes me think about his son. I wonder how his sons life will be affected. growing up without a father knowing that his father went back to Iraq to help him, and lost his life trying to save his son. I realize that really isn't what you wanted anyone to get from this blog, but all i think about is the way his son, amd wifes life will be affected.

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  22. mr ogle
    i think that this is a very good blogpost that alot of people probably needed to read.
    there are alot of people, especially teens that glamorize the life of soilers so much that they cant even begin to imagaine how hard it really is for most ppl
    Mary M

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  23. this is a great blog and really makes you wonder who deep down inside is selfless enough to put themselves on the line to protect others. and how great of dad he was for sacraficing himself so his son could be covered.

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  24. this is a great blog and really makes you wonder who deep down inside is selfless enough to put themselves on the line to protect others. and how great of dad he was for sacraficing himself so his son could be covered.

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  25. I think Veteran's day is one of the most important holidays because it gives us a time to reflect on all of the people who have fought for our country so that we can be here today and so that we can get an education and become the people we want to be and there will be no discrimination against your race or sex. I don't think that we take enough time out of our days to think about what all the veterans have done for us and how they put their lives on the line everyday willingly. I would just like to say thank you Mr. Ogle for everything that you have done to protect our country and everything that it stands for.

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  26. I think ths blog is very moving and that penrod is one great man, and i find it interesting that any man that had somthing to live for would give there own life so others can live poeple that they don't know. i do respect these3 men though.

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  27. Wow- thats deep, and amazing! i think that veterans day is very important and is something that isn't given the respect it deserves. i think some people just look upon it as another day because they don't have loved ones serving in the war or haven't had anyone serve in past wars, but little do they know it does affect their lives and in great ways. these women and men such as penrod fight for our rights and freedoms.. and with out them you may not have these-so respect them. this is a greaat topic to write about- Good job mr. Ogle=))

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  28. Each veteran and soldier has a great story it seems. My great uncle was killed in the Vietnam War and all of his medals, paperwork, and gear were sent back to my grandpa, who was his brother. I find it very interesting to look at all of the items and learn about how life was and everything involved.

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  29. Mr.Ogle,
    I really liked this blog. And personally i think more people should appriciate veterans day. So many people don't, but i don't think they are over fighting in the war right now to know how it feels. If it wasn't for our U.S Army over there now, we would be up a creek without a padle.. Not good! I really appriciate everything you had done in your service to have us here today!

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  30. I would like to salute all the veterans. They have not received the recognition for what they have done and still doing for our country. Both grandfathers served, but never talked about their time in the service. I do feel those people who refused to fight should be punished somehow, but I don't know what would be fair. I do not know of anyone serving in Iraq, but I home they will get to come home soon. War is not good for anyone. I'm glad we have a day (Veteran's Day) to honor our veterans, they probably deserve more than that one day.

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  31. Thank you for this blog, I came across this today, I browse every day looking for anything regarding Justin Penrod, this was my hero, and my son. All those things you spoke of was so much Justin, thank you for your respecting my son.

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  32. Thank you for your blog regarding my son, please email me tuttletina@yahoo.com.

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  33. this is my brother you were talking about and i just want everyone to know how special he is to me and my family... i miss him everyday and wish he was here. i love you justin so much...

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  34. This post was really touching. If there were more people like Penrod then the world would be a better place. I hope his family is honored to have had such a person in their life.

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